SINGLE FARM PAYMENTS

Motion Text

That this House welcomes progress achieved so far towards reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; notes that British farmers are amongst those who have adapted best to the changes they have been asked to make; but notes with concern that the implementation by the Rural Payments Agency of the new Single Farm Payment scheme will cause significant additional hardship to farmers because of expected delays in payments to eligible farmers; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to intervene to ensure satisfactory interim advance payment is made to farmers in this calendar year in order to avert unnecessary hardship.